Angela Rayner Opens 35 New Affordable Homes in Ashton 2026

Key Points

• Angela Rayner, Member of Parliament for Ashton-under-Lyne, has officially opened the £5.4 million affordable housing project in Stamford Street Central, Ashton town centre.
• There are 35 social rent properties, comprising 33 one-bed flats and 2 two-bed flats.
• It was constructed on a long-derelict brownfield site previously occupied by Blues nightclub and a car park.
• Jigsaw Homes Group, the contractor of which was J Greenwood (Builders) Limited, constructed the project.
• Support for the project came from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Brownfield Fund and Homes England.
• The EPC A rated properties have rooftop solar PV and highly insulated building fabric.
• Officials stated that the project is aimed at helping those who are living in temporary accommodation or who are downsizing from bigger homes.
• The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from Jigsaw Homes, Tameside Council and J Greenwood.

Ashton-under-Lyne (Manchester Mirror) October 15, 2026 — Ashton-under-Lyne’s MP, Angela Rayner, has officially opened a new £5.4 million affordable housing development in the centre of the town, delivering 35 social rent apartments on Stamford Street Central.

As reported by Mark Andrews of the Tameside Reporter, the development has transformed a long-vacant brownfield site, previously home to the Blues nightclub and a car park, into energy-efficient affordable housing.

The scheme, known as Stamford Street Central, includes 33 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments for social rent. According to the Tameside Reporter, the homes are intended to help meet growing demand for smaller, affordable properties in Tameside.

How Many New Affordable Homes Have Been Delivered?

The development provides 35 homes in total. Jigsaw Homes said the apartments are designed for people who need smaller, secure and affordable accommodation, including residents who have downsized from larger family properties and others who have moved from temporary accommodation.

As reported by the Tameside Reporter, some residents have downsized from larger family homes, helping to release larger properties for families in need, while others have moved into permanent accommodation after living in temporary housing.

The scheme was opened by Ms Rayner alongside Brian Moran, Chief Executive of Jigsaw Homes Group; Donna Kelly, Group Director of Jigsaw Support and Neighbourhoods; Emma Alexander, Chief Executive of Tameside Council; Tameside Council Deputy Leader Councillor Andrew McLaren; and Adrian Rooney, Managing Director of J Greenwood (Builders) Limited.

Where Is the New Housing Development Located?

Stamford Street Central is in the heart of Ashton town centre. The site had been vacant for a long period and formerly contained the Blues nightclub and a car park.

The redevelopment brings the brownfield land back into residential use. Jigsaw Homes said the location provides sustainable, energy-efficient homes in a town-centre setting.

Who Funded the £5.4m Housing Scheme?

The £5.4 million development received funding support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Brownfield Fund and Homes England, according to the Tameside Reporter.

Public Sector Executive separately reported that the scheme received £2.7 million through the Affordable Homes Programme and £700,000 from the Brownfield Housing Fund.

The development was delivered by Jigsaw Homes Group, with J Greenwood (Builders) Limited acting as contractor.

What Energy-Efficient Features Do the Homes Have?

Stamford Street Central has been designed with sustainability as a central feature. The Tameside Reporter reported that all homes achieve an EPC A rating, the highest energy performance rating.

The development includes rooftop solar photovoltaic panels and a highly insulated building fabric. These measures are intended to reduce energy consumption and help residents lower household bills.

What Did Angela Rayner Say About the Development?

As quoted by the Tameside Reporter, Angela Rayner said she was “incredibly proud” to officially open Stamford Street Central and to see the difference such developments make to people’s lives.

She said: “People often tell me that getting the keys to a home of their own feels like winning the lottery, and everyone deserves the security, warmth and stability that a safe, affordable home provides.”

Ms Rayner added that, with thousands of people waiting for housing, it was vital to continue building more homes of this kind. She also thanked everyone involved in the project and said Jigsaw Homes had a proud history of investing in Tameside.

What Did Jigsaw Homes Say?

Brian Moran, Chief Executive of Jigsaw Homes Group, said Stamford Street Central demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to providing more affordable, high-quality homes for people who need them most.

As reported by the Tameside Reporter, Mr Moran said residents across the development had been able to downsize from larger family properties, freeing homes for growing families, while others had moved on from temporary accommodation and were now living independently.

He said the scheme had brought a long-derelict brownfield site back into use and created sustainable, energy-efficient homes in a strong town-centre location. He added that developments of this type play an important role in tackling housing need across Tameside.

What Did Tameside Council Say?

Councillor Andrew McLaren, Tameside Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Growth, Housing and Homelessness, said the development had transformed the brownfield site into high-quality social rent homes.

He said the scheme aligned with the council’s ambitions for the proposed Ashton and Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation, which is intended to encourage investment and accelerate regeneration for residents.

Councillor McLaren said regenerating brownfield land was a key priority in Tameside’s Local Plan. He said bringing such sites back into use could provide high-quality homes that meet residents’ needs now and in the future.

What Did the Contractor Say?

Adrian Rooney, Managing Director of J Greenwood (Builders) Limited, said the company was passionate about delivering developments that leave a positive legacy.

He said the new homes would provide safe, secure and affordable accommodation for local families and individuals. Mr Rooney said J Greenwood was delighted to have worked with Jigsaw Homes, designers and the supply chain to take the scheme from concept through planning, design, construction and handover.

Background of the Development

The Stamford Street Central scheme forms part of wider efforts to bring vacant and underused brownfield land in Ashton back into residential use. The site was formerly occupied by the Blues nightclub and a car park before being redeveloped into 35 social rent apartments.

Jigsaw Homes has previously worked with Tameside Council, Homes England and J Greenwood on affordable housing schemes in the borough. In 2024, the organisations delivered 62 affordable rent homes on the site of a former industrial unit in Droylsden, including 26 three-bedroom family homes and 36 one-bedroom apartments.

At that earlier Droylsden scheme, Mr Moran said more than 7,000 people were on Tameside’s housing waiting list. The latest Stamford Street Central development has been presented by those involved as part of the response to continued demand for affordable and social housing in the borough.

Prediction: What Could This Mean for Ashton Residents?

For local residents seeking affordable housing, the development may increase the supply of smaller, energy-efficient social rent homes in central Ashton. The 35 apartments could particularly benefit single-person households and couples who need one- or two-bedroom accommodation.

Residents who move into the homes may benefit from lower running costs because of the EPC A rating, solar panels and insulation. The Tameside Reporter reported that these features are intended to reduce energy consumption and household bills.

For the wider town centre, the scheme may support regeneration by replacing a long-vacant brownfield site with occupied housing. Tameside Council has linked the development to its wider regeneration ambitions, including the proposed Ashton and Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation.

However, the development alone is unlikely to resolve wider housing pressure in Tameside. Previous reporting on the borough’s housing waiting list cited more than 7,000 people awaiting housing, indicating that demand remains substantial.